How Brain Reward Circuits Drive Addiction, Says AIIMS Psychiatrist

During a CBSE‑hosted Talkathon on September 20, Professor Nand Kumar of AIIMS New Delhi explained the neurobiological basis of substance addiction to a mixed audience of educators and senior students. He described how narcotics overstimulate the brain’s reward circuitry, releasing a surge of dopamine that creates an euphoria far beyond everyday pleasures.

This artificial boost tricks the brain into seeking the drug repeatedly, establishing a pattern of dependence. Unlike alcohol, which primarily damages the liver, or cigarettes, which affect the lungs, drugs target the central nervous system, making the brain the first and most vulnerable organ.

Professor Kumar also dispelled the myth that certain substances can enhance concentration. On the contrary, early signs of dependence include subtle declines in attention, concentration, and sleep quality. He emphasized that these changes signal the need for professional intervention before the habit deepens.

The session underscored the importance of early education and peer support. Principal Alka Awasthi and Narcotics Control Bureau’s Anish Si reinforced that occasional use is not harmless; it raises the likelihood of addiction by conditioning the brain to associate the drug with stress relief. The panel urged schools to empower peer educators and counselors to identify and address these warning signs promptly.